2020 riots: SC asks police to respond on bail plea by ex-AAP councillor contesting Delhi elections

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought a response from Delhi police as to why former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain, contesting as AIMIM candidate in Delhi elections, cannot be granted interim or regular bail in a case related to 2020 Delhi riots.

A bench of Justices Pankaj Mithal and Ahsanuddin Amanullah pointed out that he has already been granted bail in nine out of 10 cases. The court also noted he has also been arrested in a case of money laundering.

Senior advocate Siddharth Aggarwal, appearing for Hussain, submitted that he has been in jail for over four years and 10 months. He said Hussain was a person with clean antecedent till February, 2020, the counsel said.

He also said all other accused, including assailants have been granted bail in the matter.

Hussain has been denied any relief in a case related to killing of Intelligence Bureau staffer Ankit Sharma during the riots.

The Delhi High Court had on January 14 rejected his plea for interim bail in order to allow him campaign during the polls.

The court asked Delhi police counsel Rajat Nair as to why the court should not grant the petitioner bail or interim bail. As the counsel sought time to prepare and argue the matter, the bench fixed the case for hearing on January 22.